laid back apocalypse

Quote from NathanPizazz >>

(I believe the blindfolded maiden is Ebele?)

 

(Ha!  Okay, got it.  I wondered why the group we met seemed to be so like our own.  That was our description in the priestess' eyes, not a description of those accompanying her.)

Hawke followed behind their 'leader' as any good recruit would, though his eyes would be looking around the keep just to remember the layout of the area, just in case. It would be the same as when they entered the chapel, looking for any open windows, any back doors, or anything they could use to escape if things had gone south.

If possible to use Passive Perception, but if not here's da roll: 13

Eventually though, his gaze is settled upon the enthusiastic priest who approached them, giving her a tight lipped smile and letting anyone else do the talking for them if need be. Again, his eyes go everywhere else, even when Ebele mentions not wanting to sit. "Comfortable, eh?" He muses with a quiet chuckle, that he masks as clearing his throat had it drawn any attention towards them.

Catching the words of the reavers behind them, the druid frowned, not wanting to be there for two hours listening to the priest ramble on and on about something he definitely wasn't paying attention to. It did seem as if T'chal had taken some interest though, but it was probably more for informational purposes which... he should probably do himself as well, even if just for a few minutes... Ugh, fine. The druid then gives the priest an ear.

Xalkas listens intently to the speech, at least for as long as the group decides to stay and listen. He takes diligent notes almost out of habit more than anything else. Only interrupting if he needed clarification on a particularly interesting point. 

With Hawke's passive radar active, it was already difficult for him to miss things in his surroundings. Pair that, with Ebele's enhanced sonar range comfortably perched on his back and Kerric's ever watchful eyes scanning ahead of him, then sprinkle T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's confidence on top, and their noteworthy gnome at the back, the Argent Alliance practically could feel at home in any new space. The only thing worth actively looking for would be secret doors and/or physical traps. Which there doesn't appear to be any of those. The druid counts four windows, two to the east on either side of the door (behind you) and two to the south (your left while facing the altar). There was a second door to the south western corner (left to altar) of the chapel. To Hawke and Kerric it was worth noting that the Priestess is aligned with the window. Wasn't there a guard standing just outside it?

Drosnin started off with how important it was to become part of something greater than oneself and that devoting yourself to a worthy cause would fulfill your place in this existence. Though, each time the 'Captain' would mutter something, she'd give his arm a squeeze for interrupting. The cultist priest would attempt to continue without breaking her flow but her company insisted on interjecting with questions. "Listen and you will understand all you need to know for enlightenment!" Her cheerful expression cracks for a moment. With a gesture of her freehand and a firm nod to her reaver guards at the door, both would correct their posture and take a step in. Kerric could tell she had instructed them to keep you from leaving.

The Priestess' face would relax when she'd return her eyes on you. "Now where were we!" She'd jump back into her sermon, speaking of how all the elements are part of something greater, but focuses and emphasizes specifically on how this organization dedicated to the Prophet of Water and thus refers to themselves as the Crushing Wave. It doesn't take long before things begin to go around in circles, giving you the impression that she really is simply just a pawn for recruitment and knows nothing of more value. From here, Drosnin would continue droning on for another good hour and a half or more unless otherwise disrupted.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker nods, agreeing with everything the priestess says, "Right. And so then...what are we, as water cultists, trying to achieve?  Are we just looking to grow our ranks and spread the good word about....water.  I mean, that's easy. Water is awesome. You can float a boat on it, keep crops alive with it, it's really the best thing there is. Can't imagine a better thing. I was just saying how I had this plan for beds made of water...it would be amazing. But like, beyond that, are we just going to hang out at this keep, maybe patrol the river? How are we going to...you know...seek glory for water and all that? Also...is there any paper work required for signing up? If not, can I suggest I could probably help create some. It would be good to have an organized file of members, their details, and other information as to make things run as smoothly as possible." 

Kerric:

Resisting rolling his eyes at the ‘captain’s’ obsession with paperwork, Kerric stays quiet but alert, realizing that this might not be the best place to start the festivities given the outside guard on watch…

”There he goes mentioning that water bed thing again…” Ebele barely mutters, trying not to snicker. But what was the harm in tossing an idea out to a tank of sharks. Worst case, he might get a bite?

Drosnin’s visage would drop once again when the Captain would insist on interrupting her once more. Not only was he disrespecting her by not letting her finish, he was questioning her… He was questioning their purpose. Was he mocking her? The woman’s expression would harden. She’d take another look up and down the tiefling before looking at each individual behind him. “A decorated ‘captain’ such as yourself should be familiar with the process…” Recruits came to her after processing. Shoalar and his crew hated the paper work so they were always diligent about seeing Grimjaw first. Slowly she’d begin to raise her right hand. “You haven’t reported to him yet, have you?” She’d snap her finger. Slowly, starting with a few trickles, it sounded like it was beginning to rain.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker shrugs, "No, we just poked our heads in here and you started talkin. Didn't really give me much time to explain or say anything. But then I got so wrapped up in your sermon that I forgot about that and just wanted to learn more! Guess we should make waves and go see him now, then we can come back for more awesome sermon after."   (Turns 'suck-up' dial up to 9.....) 

“Time’s ticking.” Drosnin’s hand does not move, holding it’s position as she stares at you firmly. Were you staying or were you going? The reavers remain diligently alert behind you and the sound of rain continues. Tension could be sensed in the air. 

Kerric:

”As you say, Captain,” says Kerric with no apparent reaction to the threatening mien of the cult priestess.  Turning on his heel, he prepares to leave the room behind the captain to go see this Grimjaw person.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker narrows his eyes, feigning confusion as he stares at the woman. Then his eyes widen and he nods. He copies whatever she's doing with her hand, snapping his fingers as well, as if it's a secret code, then winks in an exaggerated fashion.  "Right, right, off we go."  He turns to walk out, attempting to lead the others away.

Drosnin's eyes watch the tiefling and his henchman's response. "Salty and sweet." Her lips curl into a wry smile. "Please excuse my resting beach face." The moment the captain and his elven companion pivots in an attempt to lead a walk out, "Water you doing? I'm not done with you." Her brow quirks from the challenge. "Then, it's time to sink or swim." Drosnin declares. She snaps her fingers once more. There's the sound of rain is abruptly interrupted by a burst of what then sounded like the glass windows shattering.

"Oh buoy, oh buoy..." Ebele mutters.

Hawke could assure you the windows in the room were still well intact.

The Reaver guards reach for their familiar sharktooth longswords, drawing them out to form an X in front of the doors you came through.

Initiative time!

"Perhaps a little pier-pressure will change your mind..."
Drosnin: 1

"I'm sick and tide of these puns."
R1: 9

"Just go with the float"
R2: 6

Ebele cautiously reaches for her staff strapped to her back, leaning in to whisper to Hawke "Shell we dance with these coconuts?"
Ebele: 15

Roll call: Everyone!

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker init : 23

He glances around as if everyone has gone nuts, "What in all that is written, logical, and well documented is going on around here?!"

Kerric:

Initiative:  23

Turning back around at the cultist priestess' words, Kerric says, "My interest in your sermon was beginning to ebb anyway."

Every question T'chal had for the priestess elicited a quiet cry from the druid. He's makin' this longer than it needs to be, maaan... Of course, the questions were good ones and would help them figure out just what these Water cultists were about, but it didn't take much for Hawke to notice her annoyance with the questioning. The more questions, the more suspicious, and he was tempted to interrupt by telling the tiefling to knock it off, but it looked to be as if it was already too late when the sound of rain began to fill the room.

Hawke's eye immediately went to the windows at the sound of shattering glass afterwards, momentarily wondering, was this a scare tactic? 

"Shell we dance with these coconuts?"

"Nhuugh, not you too..." Hawke whines, though a smirk grows upon his lips. "Let's... make a splash?"

These puns hurt my soul initiative: 10

Initiative: 10

Hawke looks to the window catches the sight of guard outside it, he just finished sneezing the same time the window shatter went off. Now he was trying to clean up the mess that came of it. Hawke would then realize it wasn't a scare tactic, she was trying to sound an alarm! And despite the loud crashing sounds, the guards heard nothing.

 Initiative R1
T | K | R1 | E | H | X | D | R2

Roll call: T'chal'fronack'zcinicker and Kerric!

Kerric:

Seeing that they are about to come to blows, Kerric draws his sword and steps up to the enemy spellcaster.  Faking an overhead slash, he redirects to a low horizontal swipe at her midsection, trying to bisect her before she can cast any harmful magics on them.

Magic Elven Curved Blade with Feint:  Attack: 26 Damage: 16, Bonus Damage on Hit:  1

Initiative R1
T | K | R1 | E | H | X | D | R2

Taking up a strategic position off to the side, T'chal'fronack'zcinicker fires off a shot with words of inspiration for Kerric. The bolt pierces her shoulder, setting Kerric up for a great follow up. He practically disembowels the priestess before she even takes a step from her alter.

Initiative R1
T | K | R1 | E | H | X | D | R2

Witnesses the vicious strikes against their Priestess, the first reaver flourishes their blade. They’d turn their attention to the closest target. Eyes flash to the gnome while a malicious grin appears on their face. 

On Xalkas
Attack: 6 Damage: 4 

Initiative R1
T | K | R1 | E | H | X | D | R2

Listening to the battle begin to unfold around her, Ebele’s muscles began to engage in preparation. A smirk rested on her face when she’d catch the others puns. Feeling like it was a good time to step in, the monk would ‘fall back’ down off Hawke’s back for her hands to hit the ground for a handspring, pulling her legs away with forward motion to land back on her feet. Using her momentum she’d twist to bring her staff around for initial contact, following up with a hard elbow.

Attack: 13 Damage: 5 
Unarmed Attack: 21 Damage: 7 

Initiative R1
T | K | R1 | E | H | X | D | R2

Roll Call: Hawke and Xalkas